Chanel posts negative results for second consecutive year

Unlike its main competitors, LVMH and Kering, which last year both posted record growth, in 2016 Chanel suffered a fall in sales and profits, according to the figures filed with the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce by International BV, the Dutch holding company which controls the luxury fashion label and its subsidiaries. The information was picked up by Swiss newspaper Bilan and French newspaper Le Monde.

According to the group, the downturn is chiefly explained by the sale of its Chanel Limited UK subsidiary, which accounts for approximately 11% of sales, to another Chanel-owned corporation. "On a like-for-like basis and at constant exchange rates, the results were on par with 2015," wrote the group in its yearly report, noting also how, among other reasons, in the first part of the year Chanel was affected by the terrorist attacks in Europe, which "had a negative impact on tourist flows and consequently sales."

Operating income was also down in 2016, falling by 20% to $1.28 billion (€1.07 billion). As for Chanel's net profit margin, it dropped to 15.4%, compared to 21.5% in 2015.

But while the label is less and less profitable, it does not fail to regularly add to the wealth of its two majority shareholders, the brothers Alain and Gérard Wertheimer. In 2016, they both doubled their dividends, which rose from $1.643 billion (€1.39 billion) in 2015 to $2.8 billion a year later. As a result, cash flow decreased, from $1.3 billion to $980 million.

Chanel is nevertheless optimistic about the current year, during which it hopes to make up for lost ground, riding the luxury industry's strong growth trend. In particular, Chanel pins its hopes on its new fragrance and new handbag model, both named Gabrielle, its renowned founder's name.